Cambridge physicist takes on her own university in court over 'too coarse' design for library 'megabuilding'

Suchitra Sebastian, a condensed matter physicist at the Cavendish Laboratory, is leading the Christ's Lane Action Group's fight in court. Christ's College wants to demolish its 1970s library and build a four-storey replacement around a three-storey reading room. The High Court quashed the original 2025 permission. Last week the council backed an 'almost identical' new plan.

Campaigners claim the 'bulky' scheme would 'destroy the integrity' of Cambridge's conservation area.

The group warns four Grade-I listed sites are at risk from the 'overbearing scheme'.

A bridge would link the new library to the Grade-I listed Bodley Library.